Kathie

It's worse than that, Lori - the Peace Corps workers in Africa typically take larium for two years!

But as I said, the issues are different for a some one who is living in a place. Your solution, Lori is the one typically advocated.

jenskar2

Update on Costco, costs, etc:

Filmwill -- there's a mr. jenskar too, so we need 28 pills

My pharmacy for reasons too mundane to go into here, was quoting the 200 for 20 pills -- they wanted 275 for 30

So ... Kathie, thank you. I called Costco to make sure they had it in stock, called my doctor, had the script transferred and filled it.

Dogster -- I used to take your tack on these things but given how much mosquitos like me, deet, no deet, long pants or not -- I'm taking the Malarone.

Lori -- I cannot wait !! Have been e-ing with Pon and we seem to be all set. Cannot wait to meet the teachers and students at Tchey and of course, Poneary herself.

moremiles

jenskar, when are you headed to SR? I'll be there later this month and also seeing Ponheary.

4bams

I am glad you are taking your malarone- I am always surprised that people are willing to spend thousands of dollars on their trip, and won't spend a bit more on their health because they have to pay.

I think everyone should go to travel medicine clinics for their travel advice- malaria prophylaxis changes depending on where you go in the world, and what was correct this year may change next year, as resistance to various medications changes.

doxycycine is a good antimalarial, but remember that it has an important side effect that is photosensitivity- important in a country like thailand! it is not appropriate for all malaria areas in the world either.
there is of course typhoid/ meningitis/hepatitis to consider as well in much of asia, so a good travel clinic will have all the vaccines available to you. plus, you can get a script to take for travellers diarrhea as well...

r_e_e_n_i_e

not everyone responds well to Malarone..i had a terrible reaction to it...couldn't sleep, felt anxious and angry..took it in Africa..It occured to me that malarone was probably the culprit...so i figured malaria was better than feeling so miserable...so i stopped and the next day was back to my cheerful self and could finally sleep.........and i didn't get malaria..the best part

Kathie

reenie, I expect you are referring to melfloquine (Larium) which has psychological or psychiatric side effects in about 30% of the people who take it. However, it is taken weekly so feeling better the next day after taking it is unlikely.

Malarone is a newer anti-malarial and is not noted for any of the side effects you mention.

I hope you switched to a different anti-malarial rather than simply discontinuing your medication. One of the possible side effects of malaria is death.

r_e_e_n_i_e

I was definitely taking Malarone...I was aware of the other medication you mentioned but in discussion with the tropical medicine dept. at the nearby hospital learned that this newer medication (Malarone) had little to no side effects....my doctor prescribed malarone which was to be taken once a day....when i got home i mentioned this unfortunate reaction to another traveler to Africa and he said on Malarone he had the same reaction...couldn't sleep the entire trip and was miserable...I think this isn't typical and perhaps unusual because Malarone isn't supposed to have these effects...but we were two travelers who couldn't tolerate it......and i improved right away after discontinuing it .....i took nothing and since it was the dry season my risk factor was fortunately low...and i made it home...without a case of malaria...

Kathie

It is a rare reaction, I've not heard of others with the same reaction.

I'm glad you made it home safely!